ok, so most people agree that the south was within in their rights to secede and i agree. however think about the implications. the south was being forced to comply with the northern states. as a result it hurt the south economiclly and put the lucrative slave business in jeopardy. if you are a senator form the north at that time how do you argue? since clearly there is no LEGAL obligation to force the south to comply you would have to argue on MORAL grounds. i bring this up because our current president has argued similiarly.